| So you've got the perfect little log cabin, or chalet by | | | | those beds, but you certainly can. |
| the lake, or just want a country touch to your home. | | | | The other alternative to hold the mattress up is |
| You want a log bunk bed, or two, but don't know | | | | called a Bunkie board. A Bunkie board is basically |
| where to start. And they don't carry them in your | | | | ¾ inch plywood cut to the size of the box |
| downtown furniture store. | | | | spring. It sits inside either the metal bed frame, or |
| Not to worry, there are plenty of options available on | | | | the wood bed frame, and supports the mattress. If |
| the Internet. There are loft log bunk beds, twin over | | | | you have a box spring you don't need a Bunkie |
| twin log bunk beds, full over full or even twin over | | | | board, but if there is not a box spring, the Bunkie |
| queen. I haven't seen a twin over king yet, but really | | | | board is what supports the middle of the mattress. |
| the Amish can make any size you want. A lot of | | | | We sell Bunkie boards if people want them, but a lot |
| college students who looking to build an inexpensive | | | | of people just cut their own. It's up to the buyer. |
| loft bed might find an Amish loft bunk bed to be just | | | | Another option to consider is the type of ladder you |
| the ticket, and some of them come with futons | | | | want with your log bunk bed. Some of the Amish |
| under them, too. | | | | beds have the ladders built right into the end of the |
| There are federal regulations regarding bunk beds, so | | | | bed, so you don't have a ladder leaning out from the |
| you'll want to make sure that whatever bed you | | | | bed. Others have a moveable ladder that can hook |
| choose meets the regulations. We're talking safety | | | | on the end or the side. In many cases, the amount |
| here, and things do happen. But you certainly wouldn't | | | | of space available determines the type of bunk bed |
| want a bed that doesn't meet the regulations, so | | | | you buy. If you have a small room, the larger cedar |
| make sure that the one you buy, does. Most | | | | logs may seem too massive. If you don't have room |
| accidents with bunk beds happen to children under | | | | for a slanted ladder, however, you may opt for the |
| the age of three. Many of these accidents can be | | | | cedar bunk bed anyway that has the ladder built in. If |
| avoided by having safety rails on both sides of the | | | | you have a larger room or larger people, you may |
| top bed. If one side of the bed is against the wall, | | | | opt for the larger cedar logs. |
| that can be sufficient--but it must be against the wall. | | | | If you get a pine bunk bed with metal frame, there |
| There are also regulations regarding headboards. | | | | is a way to give the metal frame that log look when |
| There is a link to a page with the regulations at the | | | | the covers are thrown back. These are decorative |
| bottom of this article for those who wish to read | | | | half logs or rails, not to be confused with the safety |
| further. | | | | rails that go around the top of the bunk bed. The |
| Bunk beds built to those regulations are generally built | | | | top safety rails are always included with the log bunk |
| to hold an adult weighing up to 250 pounds. If you | | | | bed, but the decorative half rails are optional and just |
| are pushing the limits, try cedar instead of pine. In | | | | for looks. |
| the beds we sell, the cedar logs are 5 ½ to 6 | | | | Last but not least, be sure to measure before you |
| inches in diameter, while the pine is about 3 ½ | | | | buy. Last year we sold a couple of log bunk beds to |
| inches in diameter. They are both built to federal | | | | somebody in Montana. They absolutely loved the |
| specifications, and the pine bunk beds are very solid | | | | beds, but had bought two for the room and soon |
| and strong, but if there is a question in your mind, go | | | | found out that only one could comfortably fit. Since |
| for the bigger logs. And of course, you can always | | | | we are in Michigan and they in Montana, it would |
| put the big fella on the bottom, too. | | | | have cost quite a bit to ship it back. They ended up |
| Some log bunk beds come with a metal frame to | | | | selling the extra bed on ebay, but the problem could |
| hold the mattress, but some of the Amish build them | | | | have been avoided with a bit of careful measuring up |
| with a wood frame to hold both the box spring and | | | | front. |
| the mattress. You don't have to put a box spring in | | | | |